Wild Wild West

“There are no laws for the novel. There never have been, nor can there ever be.”
—Doris Lessing

Oh snap! This is what I like to hear! So basically, this is like the wild west. Anything goes. The most powerful idea controls the novel. What’s interesting is that a novel is a compilation of several ideas, none of them really competing, but our own preferred ideas will draw us in most. Maybe even a new idea will gain our attention over the rest. But it’s true, there are no rules.

Do you prefer guidelines as a writer?

Truth Nugget

“When you encourage others, you in the process are encouraged because you’re making a commitment and difference in that person’s life. Encouragement really does make a difference.” -Zig Ziglar

I love to be encouraging but even more than that, to be truthful. Even though the truth doesn’t always look good or feel good, it’s still something I strive for. Encouragement is good too.

Solitude Sunday

Solitude Sunday is complete. It was a great day filled with my Sunday routines and time spent with my little family. I went for a hike and definitely appreciated being in nature again. It didn’t have the same relaxing vibes it usually does, but it was peaceful, and I’m just glad I got to get out and move my body.

Latest on the novel:

I just added a library scene to my novel for fun because libraries bring me joy. So now I think I’m due to go to the library. Maybe I’ll find a new one to visit this week.

The Writer’s Life

I don’t know how on earth I’ve made it writing this long. To be completely honest, college literally changed how I viewed the world. Then the biographies of writers, and the words of philosophers, and I just kept going. Accepting the writers life has not been easy for me. Not one bit. I don’t have some convincing argument that defends my desire to be a novelist. There’s no data. There’s absolutely no proof. I’m just over here, writing. It’s kinda weird.

Keep Going

“Quality is not an act, it is a habit.” -Aristotle

I’m low on motivation to work on the book today, but I did it. I added a quick detail that will probably need more work tomorrow. The good thing is, I opened the Word Doc and stayed connected to the story. That’s what works for me. Every single night, something tells me it’s ok to take a break, step away, but then there’s a quiet voice that says, “Keep going. Don’t stop.” Why is habit and discipline the quiet voice? Honestly, giving up isn’t an option for me; it doesn’t really matter which one is louder. What matters to me is finishing, and the end is weird. It feels weird. It’s a lot of pushing myself and getting that flame ignited again. I don’t need passion, but it feels nice to be excited about caring.

How’s your writing?

Love Like the Wind

“Love is like the wind, you can’t see it but you can feel it.” – Nicholas Sparks

Aww, this is a sweet quote. Above all else, it feels good to be loved. And I mean love as in being accepted for exactly who you are and understood. This is something you can give to yourself every day. Accept all the little parts of you—physical, emotional, mental; quirks and all! Take time to appreciate your creator’s creation. You!

Vibe Therapy

This is one of my most favorite songs when I get hit hard with the feels

“Come All You Weary” by Thrice

Come all you weary with your heavy loads
Lay down your burdens, find rest for your souls
‘Cause my yoke is easy and my burden is kind
I’ll take yours upon me and you can take mine

Come all you weary who move through the Earth
You’ve been spurned at fine restaurants and kicked out of church
I’ve got a couple of loaves, so sit down at my feet
Lend me your ears and we’ll break bread and eat

Come all you weary
Come gather ’round near me
Find rest for your souls

Come all you weary, crippled you lay
I’ll help you along, you can lay down your canes
We’ve got a long way to go, but we’ll travel as friends
The light’s growing bright, further up, further in

Come all you weary
Come gather ’round near me
Find rest for your souls
Rest for your souls

Come all you weary
Come gather ’round near me
Come all you weary
Come gather ’round near me
Find rest for your souls
Rest for your souls
Rest for your souls
Rest for your souls.

Great Things Take Time and Patience

“I dress myself, not to impress, but for comfort and for style.” -Lindsey Wixson

It is true. I found the most comfortable dress pants and snagged them in like four colors. I didn’t always have the freedom to shop for professional wear, mostly because I didn’t do anything that required them. But then when it was time, and I had a paycheck, it was important to me to invest in comfortable professional wear. I mean, I lived in yoga pants and messy hair. Throw a floral robe in, and you wouldn’t see me for weeks. But if I’m going to do business things, I want to dress comfortably and in a way that I still feel pretty.

My life, right now, is all about comfort. I’m soaking it up while I can. I have worried and stressed myself out for too long. Great things take time and patience. You know, I watched this reality show called “Alone” with my husband where people went out into the woods to survive. This one guy built himself a fort and then basically only got up to drink water. Spoiler alert, he won. Now I’m not saying to sleep all day, but I am saying, take it easy. Doing all that extra labor, worrying about perfectionism, and proving yourself to people who don’t see your value is all a waste of your precious energy.

Freedom I’ve Found You

“Whoever will be free must make himself free. Freedom is no fairy gift to fall into a man’s lap. What is freedom? To have the will to be responsible for one’s self.” -Max Stirner

Once I adopted this mindset all of my actions gained more intention. Taking responsibility and developing a healthy amount of disciplines is more liberating than anything I’ve every committed to. That is what lead to me understanding my own value. Taking on this type of self centered mindset adds to the collective in infinite ways, but what’s interesting is that the ones we love most are usually the key reason to keep going.